Games 146 and 147 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 04-11-299

Game 146: Lexicon Islands - Ordland (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) - Semifinal Leg

NOVEFA announces the result for the second leg in the quarterfinal
matchup in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 0 - ORDLAND 0
Played in: Sensation Cola Stadium, Califax, Lexicon Islands
Attendance: 58,600
Referee: Devon Whytman (Ras Lanarch)
Goals: none!
Yellow cards: Komp (LEX, 21.), Limoneira (ORD, 55.)
Substitutions: Kilaffis for Eckin (LEX, 45.), Siliston for Cannon (LEX,
62.)

Match commentary:

All-out battle ends in surprising scoreless draw to see Lexicon to the
final!

This match has probably had more media and governmental attention that
any other with the so-called advertising scam scandal that saw the
governments of Ordland and Lexicon exchange heated communiques.  Ordland
was trying to go all out to try to achieve the impossible and make up
the 0-4 they suffered at home last week, and they wanted to mobilize all
powers to achieve their goals, literally.  After the revelations of the
scandal, the wind seemed a bit taken out of the Ordlandic sails, but the
team nevertheless came motivated and ready to do their best.  It came
down to which team would be able to handle the distractions better!

In fact, for much of the game, Lexicon was forced into the defensive, as
Ordland put on so much pressure that the Vikings did not even have the
chance to play the offensive style they had planned.  The first 15
minutes were all Ordland, and Vanossi kept the goal empty with two
impossible saves against Castanheira, who was really lighting it up
today.  Slowly, but surely, then the LEX team began to battle back, and
the two teams kept exchanging blows all first half, albeit without
either one managing to score.  Overall, the Ordlandic enthusiasm was
lacking the executional luck and skills, and for Lexicon, the unusual
front lineup with 5 strikers caused some confusion in their own team,
who had never played with such a formation.  Thus, the score remained
0-0 in the first 45 minutes.

After the break, Lexicon throttled back, and mainly concentrated on
keeping Ordland off their goal... the efforts of the Ordlandic team and
entourage were impressive, but Lexicon once again proved their class,
and kept the match scoreless.  With time increasingly running out,
Ordland grew more frantic and began to make more mistakes.  Ultimately,
it was a surprise that neither side failed to score.  Overall, a draw in
Lexicon would have been a great result for Ordland to take to their home
game, had it been the other way round, but that is not how things
happened.  Lexicon goes on to the final game with an aggregate of 4-0,
which they will play in Newton, in front of Ordlandic fans who are bound
to be against them after their beloved team has been eliminated.
Ordland can leave the Copa with their heads high, they have had some
great wins, and given their best all along, as well as being very
gracious hosts to the competition.

NOVEFA announces the result for the second leg in the semifinal
matchup in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTRIA 6 - BOWDANI 2
Played in: Casino Palace, Montroy, Westria
Attendance: 90,200
Referee: Nando Zelan (Otago/TDCorp)
Goals: Salamanta (WES, 9.), Theunissen (WES, 18.), Theunissen (WES,
31.), Killehal (BOW, 55.), Killehal (BOW, 65.), Hallsetter (WES, 69.),
Nadeschney (WES, 79.), Theunissen (WES, 90.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Bassen for A. Moran (BOW, 45.), Manchoni for Franchino
(BOW, 45.), Waschbrecht for Vraseydenhout (WES, 70.), Alkentorff for
Yoghurt (WES, 73.)

Match commentary:

Westria has its finest hour against the spirited Bowdanians!

Bowdani was determined to put up a good fight in this match, and their
preparations were really immaculate, borrowing Vexillium Cup Champion
coach Snyder of Christiana, training hard, flying to Westria early,
doing their very best to improve morale and to bring many fans to
Montroy for the match.....  the more impressive was the performance of
the Westrian team, who today left no doubt that they are the very best
in Vexillium!

Bowdani had come as the underdogs, but with high hopes of pulling off an
upset against the goliath opponents.  Despite their efforts, however,
Westria made it perfectly clear that they intended to win this game, and
indeed, the Copa.  The level of professionalism displayed by the
diamonds today was extraordinary, as they all seemed to be on top of
their games - and if the number one team on the planet is on top of
their games, that can only mean one thing... their opponents will lose,
no matter how good they are!

Still, it was a bit of a surprise to see Westria up 3-0 after 31 minutes
- they were also quite fortunate to realize all these goal chances, with
the first goal by Theunissen being basically a lucky stab at the ball
that spun wildly into the goal, probably not even intended to be a shot
on goal, but a pass instead!  In any event, Bowdani soon had their backs
against the wall, down 0-3.

They decided to go for all or nothing after the break, bringing in
promising newcomer Bassen, and Manchoni, two more strikers, with an
immediate effect:  Bassen proved to be a great impulse-maker, and it was
superstar Killehal scoring twice in the next 20 minutes, giving fresh
hopes to the Bowdanian side.  Just as they were pushing hard to get the
equalizer, though, and just 4 minutes after Bowdani's second goal,
Westria struck back with all its might, and widened the gap to 2 goals
again!  They then changed their line-up to more defensive, and the
discouraged Bowdanians had not too much else to give... Westria would
score twice more in the second half, to take a convincing 6-2 win that
had the Montroy Casino Palace going nuts!

After the match, both teams were seen congratulating each other, and
exchanging shirts, while the three coaches, three of Vexillium's best,
Hetlecker of Bowdani, guest coach Snyder of Christiana, and Schrey of
Westria, all shook hands in congratulations, and then proceeded to join
their teams while apparently exchanging views on the game strategies.
The celebrations went on for a good while, and even the Bowdanian team
seemed in relatively good spirits, somewhat taken away by the enthusiasm
around them.  Then, Chancellor Maximilian Suchy presented the Bowdanian
team players with individual gift baskets featuring goods and foods from
Westria, as a sign of appreciation for the team's hard fight, and good
sportsmanship.

Westria will thus face Lexicon in the grand final game in Newton, in
what promises to be a great showdown between the two top-ranked teams of
Vexillium!  Bowdani goes home with their heads held high, after a
terrific streak, they are the most improved team of the season, and of
the Copa!